City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021, 7:00 PM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members Hannah Stone, Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist and All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at Hollie Huthman 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Deputy City Clerk Elisabeth Oakes Please note the doors to City Hall unlock at 6:30 PM. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Stone at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. On June 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM there will be a Public Hearing to consider City Council’s May 10, 2021 approval of an extension of a moratorium on the redevelopment of any of the ten manufactured home parks in Bellingham. Roll Call Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, At-Large Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. The Mayor happily announced that the Library reopened today. The remodel is complete and starting today the library will be opened with limited in person services and 50% capacity. remodel is finished and reopened today. He also provided a reminder to Bellingham residents that while fireworks celebrations are coming soon, fireworks are illegal within the city limits. Increased patrols from police will be employed in the days to come. The Port of Bellingham in partnership City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes  with the Chamber of Commerce will host a fireworks display, Blast on the Bay, scheduled for July 4, 2021. Guidance continues to come from state and local health officials, the Governor's office, and others. The City continues to evaluate City services to develop our own plans to resume in-person services. More information will be forthcoming this month. 23007 1. Mayor's Appointment of Rachel Jewell to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor appoints Rachel Jewell to her first term on the Community Development Advisory Board, which will expire on June 1, 2024, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. 23008 2. Mayor's Appointments of Tourism Commission Members (Information) The Mayor appoints Matt Lesinski to his first partial term, on the Tourism Commission, which will expire on April 3, 2023, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. The Mayor appoints Christine Jenkins to her first term, on the Tourism Commission, which will expire on June 1, 2024, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. The Mayor appoints Craig Jewell to his first term, on the Tourism Commission, which will expire on June 1, 2024, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. 23009 3. Mayor's Reappointment and Appointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) The Mayor reappoints Kurt Gazow, to his final term, as the Silver Beach Primary Representative to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, which will expire on June 26, 2023. Information only. The Mayor appoints Molly Foote to her first partial term, as the Samish Primary Representative, which will expire on November 11, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. 23010 4. Mayor's Appointment of Mary Hooker to the Bellingham Sister Cities Board (Information) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes  The Mayor appoints Mary Hooker to her first partial term on the Bellingham Sister Cities Board, which will expire January 25, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. City Council Special Meeting 23011 1. Closed Record Hearing to Consider a Street Vacation for a Portion of Queen Street North of Lakeway Drive, East of Puget Street and South of the Civic Field Open Space A Closed Record Hearing was held earlier in the day at a Special Meeting. A petitioner requested vacation of a portion of Queen Street to allow for a private, forced sewer main to be installed that would facilitate a proposed subdivision (townhouses). Staff recommends acceptance of the Hearing Examiner's Facts and Findings of the proposed vacation and to include acceptance of the appraised value and set compensation at $1,000.00. Hannah Stone / Gene Knutson moved to adopt the Hearing Examiner's recommendations and compensation of fair market value of $1,000.00. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Hannah Stone / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 23012 1. Update on Middle Fork Nooksack River Fish Passage Project (EN-0047) Presentation during Committee. An update on the progress of the removal of a large portion of the diversion dam was provided. Information only. 22994 2. Adoption of Draft 2022-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes  Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2021-13. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Planning Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Hollie Huthman 23013 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Adding a Plans Examiner Position in the Development Services Fund This item was brought forth to request Council approval amending the budget to add a Plans Examiner position in the development services fund. Lisa Anderson / Gene Knutson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation Gene Knutson, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 23014 1. Third Modification to Lease Agreement – Craft Studio at Boulevard Park (Woods Coffee) The amendment to the lease provides additional square footage and a new restroom. Woods Coffee Inc and the City have agreed to modify the attached restrooms and storage room to the rentable area and adjust the base rent and leasehold tax accordingly. The Woods Coffee Inc also agrees to pay all charges for water utilities and be responsible for all restroom maintenance, repairs, daily cleaning, and security. Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved approval to authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease modification of Craft Studio space (Woods Coffee) at Boulevard Park. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22982 2. An Ordinance Amending BMC Chapter 8.04 Regarding Parks and Trails and Providing New Rules for Electric-Assisted Bicycles on Trails, Prohibiting Smoking, Reducing Speed Limits, and Other Updates Discussion during Committee. After the Public Hearing was held on May 24, 2021, public input provided Council with changes to consider. Council sent the changes back City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes  to the Parks and Recreation Committee and instructed no change to 8.04.080 Overnight Camping, and removal of the new section 8.04.170 restricting drones. Gene Knutson / Lisa Anderson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee of the Whole Hannah Stone, Chair Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman Please be advised that if the City Council is ahead of schedule, they may start with old/new business before the official Committee of the Whole meeting time. 22971 1. Fire Department Strategic Plan Presentation during Committee. Fire Chief continued an update on the presentation and summary of goals of the Fire Department. The four goals listed in the strategic plan are as follows: 1. Stabilize the staffing 2. Continue recruitment efforts to maintain an active hiring list in preparation of a significant number of retirements. 3. Continue to promote a culture that values diversity within the organization. 4. Improve the EMS response and support system. Information only. 23015 2. Discussion of Options for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement in Bellingham Discussion during Committee. Council directed staff to assist them further with a "review and audit" hybrid type models of oversight boards to bring back for discussion at a future meeting. 3. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the May 24, 2021 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill abstained. 4. Old/New Business City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes  None. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Litigation: Eldard v. City of Bellingham et al. Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 6. Litigation: Fox v. City of Bellingham Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 7. Litigation: Young v. City of Bellingham Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 8. Litigation: Lev vs. City of Bellingham and Seth Fleetwood Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 23016 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated May 01, 2021 to May 15, 2021 23017 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued May 07, 2021 through May 13, 2021 23018 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued May 14, 2021 through May 20, 2021 23019 4. Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into an Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County for Whatcom Unified Command COVID- 19 Support Services 23020 5. A Resolution Setting the Date and Time for a Public Hearing Before the Hearing Examiner for Consideration of a Street Vacation Petition for "Center Street" Located Between D, E, Astor and Bancroft Streets in Old Town Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2021-14. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22979 1. James Street Preferred Arterial Standard Ordinance Hannah Stone / Gene Knutson moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Stone, Knutson, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-06-024. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 6/21/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 6/7/2021 Minutes